The Los Angeles Dodgers (55-39) and Detroit Tigers (45-49) begin a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Comerica Park is slated for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Dodgers vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Dodgers won 2 of 3 last year
The Dodgers limp into Detroit after being swept by the Phillies in Philadelphia. They were outscored 19-5 over the 3-game series with their 700 million dollar man DH Shohei Ohtani bringing home 1 run. Los Angeles has lost 4 straight as they head into their last series before the All-Star break.
The Tigers have won 6 of their last 7 games including taking 3 of 4 from the AL Central leading Guardians. They smoked Cleveland 10-1 on Thursday behind 6 strong innings from RHP Jack Flaherty. LF Riley Greene and 3B Gio Urshela each drove in 3 runs. Detroit has averaged over 5 runs per game over this last 7 game span.
Dodgers at Tigers projected starters
LHP James Paxton vs. LHP Tarik Skubal
Paxton (7-2, 4.24 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.40 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 in 80 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 5-3 home win against Milwaukee Brewers Saturday
- 2024 road splits: 4-2, 5.36 ERA (47 IP, 28 ER (29 R), 1.47 WHIP, 7.7 K/9 in 10 starts
- Career vs. Tigers: 3-1, 3.13 ERA in 7 starts; last start vs. Tigers was in 2018 with the Seattle Mariners
Skubal (10-3, 2.37 ERA) makes his 19h start. He has a 0.90 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 in 110 IP.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 13 K in 5-1 victory at the Cincinnati Reds Sunday
- 2024 road splits: 6-0, 1.74 ERA (51 1/3 IP, 10 ER (12 R), 0.87 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 in 8 starts
- Has never faced the Dodgers
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Dodgers at Tigers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:21 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Dodgers +112 (bet $100 to win $112) | Tigers -132 (bet $132 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers +1.5 (-192) | Tigers -1.5 (+158)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -122 | U: +100)
Dodgers at Tigers picks and predictions
Prediction
Tigers 5, Dodgers 2
Moneyline.
PASS.
It is hard to believe the Tigers (-132) are a favorite against the Dodgers, but that’s reality. Los Angeles is struggling and I like the Tigers to win this Game on Friday evening, but I’ll look to the run line to make my wager.
Run line/Against the spread
BET TIGERS -1.5 (+158).
Skubal has been fantastic, especially at home this season. He’s undefeated at Comerica in 8 starts and hasn’t allowed more than 1 ER at home since May 11. Los Angeles has to be happy with what they’ve got from Paxton this season, but he was beat up for 9 ER in his last road start in San Francisco.
The Dodgers look like they want and need a break, just playing out the string to the All-Star break. I’ll bet on the team that’s more hungry for a win.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 9.5 (+100).
The trends tell me to bet the Over in this Game and that’s why the odds are the way they are, but I’m jumping on the Under.
I just went into detail about how good Skubal has been especially at home and the Under has hit in 4 of his last 5 starts. That’s because he doesn’t allow a lot of runs and the Tigers are in the bottom 3rd of the league in runs scored per Game (4.14).
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